BY MAHMOUD
The Federal Government has initiated steps to revive exploration activities at the stalled Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, on Monday commenced an on-site assessment of the project to determine what is required to remobilise operations at the site.
The move signals renewed federal commitment to the Kolmani project, which was flagged off in 2023 but suspended around July 2025. Officials say restarting exploration is critical not only for Bauchi and the North-East region, but for Nigeria’s broader economic interests amid ongoing efforts to boost oil output and revenue.
The move signals renewed federal commitment to the Kolmani project, which was flagged off in 2023 but suspended around July 2025. Officials say restarting exploration is critical not only for Bauchi and the North-East region, but for Nigeria’s broader economic interests amid ongoing efforts to boost oil output and revenue.
RMAFC Chairman, Muhammad Bello, led a verification visit to the oil field and said the commission would evaluate the current state of the project and advocate for its continuation. He noted that the commission would submit its findings to relevant authorities and monitor progress through its oil and gas committee.
According to Mr. Bello, President Bola Tinubu remains committed to the project. “We know for a fact that Mr President is very much concerned as far as this project is concerned. We know that he has assured the two governors that there will be mobilisation for the project to continue,” he said, referring to the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states.
Mr. Bello stressed that reviving Kolmani was important for the North-East and for national economic interests. “We want the momentum of the project that was started in 2023 to return. We want to come and verify for ourselves what is going on so that we can advocate for this project, this important project, to continue, so that the people of the North-East of Nigeria can further benefit,” he said.
The Bauchi State Government confirmed that exploration activities stopped after the technical company handling the project began demobilising. Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, said the state received reports from the host community between January and July 2025 indicating that work had ceased. A joint state and local government team later met with the company to discuss the situation.
Mr. Maiwada Bello said the RMAFC visit had renewed hopes that exploration could resume. He added that Bauchi State, under Governor Bala Mohammed, is ready to provide manpower and other support needed to facilitate the revival. “Bauchi State under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed is ever ready to provide every manpower needed to support the exploration,” he said.
The Kolmani project is viewed as a potentially significant development for the North-East, with prospects for employment, technical services and other economic activities if commercially viable reserves are established. During the visit, the RMAFC chairman also inspected the ongoing Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, which he said would supply trained personnel for the project. He noted that RMAFC contributed part of the funds for the institution’s construction.
RMAFC said it will continue to engage relevant authorities and track developments as efforts to restart Kolmani progress. With the assessment now underway, stakeholders are waiting for the commission’s recommendations and for mobilisation plans to be firmed up, in line with the assurances given by the presidency.
About The Author
